BP Mungo Helideck

Project Background

The BP Mungo forms part of the Eastern Trough Area Project (ETAP) and is a NUI installation sited approx. 22Km from the main processing platform. It is primarily a wellhead platform.

Having completed two successful alternative access work scopes  on Mungo, we had become the default alternative access supplier for BP with successful stories from other BP assets enhancing our track record.

For this work scope, a ruling from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had resulted in NUI platforms having to retrospectively fit a Remote Fire Fighting System (RFFS) to improve the emergency response during the landing of an aircraft on an unmanned installation. Wood were contracted to fit the system, with HAKI Access contracted to supply suitable access.

Client Initial Specified Work Scope

To supply and install a suspended access solution to allow full access to the underside of the helideck on the BP Mungo. An alternative suggestion of installing the full system using rope access was rejected due to the size of the system to be installed. Collective access was required, with traditional scaffolding again being theoretically possible, but significantly slower than a suspended access solution.

Our Solution

Span specified the installation of the QuikDeck suspended access platform and the platform was designed, engineered and installed by our in-house team, giving the client a single contact point for the access requirements. The open layout and minimal obstacles under the HeliDeck made this an obvious choice for the QuikDeck system.

Completed Installation

As in other scopes, we opted to use a system from a key supplier rather that our own system, as it suited the available steelwork and for this application, offered a faster installation time while giving the required operational loadings. Span will always use the best system for the job rather than defaulting to our own without due consideration to what is available from our constantly evolving portfolio of access systems. 

Safety & Commercial Benefits

As part of the summer 2018 Mungo Walk-to-Work campaign, HAKI Access were among the first on the scene, with the installation of the RFFS system the priority work scope for the summer campaign and the delivery of the access scope on schedule was expected by BP in order to avoid delays at the start of the campaign.

The work scope was completed in a 21-day mobilisation from Peterhead of which 10 shifts of productive time were available and required to fit the system, uplift towers and access from the weather deck. Within this productive time there were additional unaccounted for interruptions as our works took place above the access to the temporary refuge and the general simops clashes we have come to expect on compact NUI platforms.

The time saving over traditional scaffolding was approx. 70% with the overall campaign deemed a success due to the completed RFFS system installation. The time saving additionally allowed the platform management to bring the planned TAR in ahead of schedule and allow the Mungo to resume production earlier than anticipated.

It was commented in a post-project review meeting that the installation of the HAKI Access system was pivotal in the successful installation of the RFFS system and that with the benefit of hindsight, rope access methods to install such a vast system would have proved extremely challenging.